By JERRY GARRETT

January 13, 2014

Introduced on Monday, Jan. 13: Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept

What is it? Another attempt to keep the aging Beetle (despite a 2011 “redesign”) from flatlining in the Volkswagen lineup.

Is it real? Since it is billed as a concept, it may not be real. But just about everything on the concept could easily go into production. VW says the Dune has production “potential” and looks “ready” – whatever that may mean.

What they said: Volkswagen calls the Dune a “Baja Bug for the 21st century.” Press materials added, “With the world premiere of the Beetle Dune at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Volkswagen is giving the public the chance to see a Beetle with a cool off-road look.”

What they didn’t say: Off-road, the Dune concept would get eaten alive. A Baja Bug is a customizer’s attempt to give the low-riding Beetle some extra ground clearance, suspension travel and nobby tires to bounce through harsh terrain. A Baja Bug has cutaway fenders, chopped front and rear overhangs and a bobbed engine hatch. This Dune concept has a ski rack built into a cutesy rear spoiler; what does snow-skiing have to do with the deserts of Baja? Park that thing outside of Hussong’s Cantina and you would be laughed out of Mexico.

What makes it tick? A 210-horsepower R-line 4.

How much, how soon? How many pesos would you pay for a Baja Bug with a ski rack? How about a toboggan? Rosebud?

How does it look? Like they found the original, 15-year-old New Beetle concept (unveiled at the 1999 Detroit auto show) out behind Cobo Hall and decided to stick a couple of skis on it.